I have stopped praying before eating...

That's right.  I have stopped saying my "before meal" prayers.  Something that has been a staple for me for the past, well, forever.  It has been tough not bowing my head before I devour a meal-and, essentially, that is why I stopped doing it.

I had a good convo with good friends about a month and a half ago about this very subject.  We all agreed that our "before meal" prayers weren't really prayers at all.  I know that for as long as I can remember, I have basically been a Pharisee about praying and not even realized it.  I would pray before a meal as a possible "witnessing tool".  I thought, "maybe some one will see me praying and get saved," (something along those lines.)  Definitely not the right reason to be praying.  I also began to think about what I prayed before a meal.  I soon realized it was basically the same old blahness every time.  To the God who created me, has sustained me, blessed me beyond belief- "Thank you for this food, Amen." doesn't seem to cut it.  

My "before meal" prayers were not genuine and I did not pray for the right reason.  So I stopped.  And guess what.  I feel more grateful now for food and the little things I take for granted than ever.  

For example, I did my bi-monthly grocery shopping the other day and was waiting in the Deli line waiting for some fresh cut cheese-I was leaning over my grocery cart and saw the $75 worth (budgeted!) of groceries and was overwhelmed.  I immediately thanked the Lord for the bounty.  I have never not known when the next meal was going to come.  (4/5 of the World's population worries about that everyday.)  

Now, I am not advocating not praying.  This is something that I need to do out of respect and to honor my Mighty God better.  When you pray-do not be flippant; don't be passive; pray like you've never prayed before everytime you go to the Lord; pray BIG; and Honor God in your prayers and all that you do.

10 Reasons why running on the Treadmill Stinks!

1. You can't spit.
2. You can't blow snot rockets ( I do this all the time when I run)
3. Basically, you do not move.
4. You always get drops of sweat flying on you from the guy/gal on the treadmill beside you.
5. You feel like everyone is watching you
6. The guy beside you always tries to race you!
7. It is so hard to focus.
8. When the TVs in the gym are showing the Echannel, it's hard to stay motivated.
9. Miss out on the scenery.
10.It's boring!!!!!!!

Hope you enjoyed!

Compliments and Encouragment

Build others up!  To often through everyday life and the media we hear people being "bashed."I have heard that for ever negative thing someone says to you, it takes 10 positive things to overcome it.  Why waste time hurting others when we could say nothing at all, or...do the complete opposite and give somebody a compliment.  Everybody loves 'em!  

Today on my long run I was hurting pretty bad.  A guy on a bike passed me and shouted, "Nice Jacket!!"  (I was wearing my Steve Prefontaine hoody.)  This random stranger gave me a compliment, I was stoked!  I turned the corner, saw the finish, and sprinted the rest of the run!  

Little acts of kindness like that go a long way, their easy, and it doesn't take much effort.  

You never know whose life you may be impacting!

Build a brother (or sister) up!  1 Thess 5:11

And thanks to the man on the Alpharetta Greenway!

Okay, so it was sub-freezing temps on the run, but not snowing.  This is an internet pic of the Greenway.

Bi-Lo Marathon!

It's getting closer...in fact, it's sneaking up on me!  The Bi-Lo Marathon in Myrtle Beach, SC is only one month away.  I'm not going to lie, I am a little anxious.  My training was going great until about mid-November or so.  In fact, then I ran a great 14 mile run downtown Greenville at 8:48 min/mile.  I got done with that training run and raised my hands to God (long-distance running is so spiritual to me!)  Later that week, according to Paula Radcliffe on my iPod, I ran my fastest mile time.  The next day-I couldn't feel my foot.  Self-diagnosed Plantar Fasciitus.  There were some mornings that I couldn't even walk.  

I took about a month off and am now trying to get back in Marathon shape.  Last week was an 8.5 mile long run, today was a 12 miler.  16 and 20 over the following weeks and a taper down the two weeks before the race.

Wish me luck, it's going to be great running with friends on a flat course.  I'm super stoked. 

 I think I deserve an ice-cream sandwich!

African Memories

I got a flat tire today at work. This was such a blessing! No, really, I drove from Augusta to Greenville last night and then on to Clemson for work this morning and the tire was not flat until I parked for work. Glory to the Lord!

But, a sweet sweet memory of Africa came after the flat. You see, one activity that African children participate in is "Roll the tire". Party because it's fun, and party because they don't have anything else to play with. They will take on old bike tire and a stick and hit/roll the tire and run along beside it.

After I got the flat today, I removed my tire and "ran along beside it" as I took it to the Wal-Mart tire and lube center!

As I rolled across the vast parking lot of Wally World, I also smelt the sweet smell of Africa today!

What is your passion?

Passion=Life. To have no passions means to have no life, I believe. Passion is what gets you out of bed in the morning. Passion makes days worth living and nights worth sleeping. We should do crazy things for passion; we may even risk it all for passion. Have you ever done something and not known what the outcome was going to be? That's passionate.

Now, there are healthy and not-so-healthy passions. I heard a lady say just the other day, "I guess my hobby is shoes..." Essentially she was saying she was passionate about shoes. This lady obviously had some mixed up passions!

Make your Passions worth living for and talking about. I think some of the best Passions include: Christ and Relationships. Make those things strong and healthy. Live for them. Live for Christ and other people and see your world and your perspective Change!

Barack Obama and America...

So I know that I am a couple of weeks late, but wanted all of the dust to settle before I put my thoughts down on the most recent election and president-elect Senator Barack Obama.

First of all. The following is how I felt and thought after the election; if you like it you can take it and if not, that's okay too. Like my Mom always said...

"Opinions are like Butt-holes, everybody's got one, and crap comes out of 'em."

Now, to preface...I must admit...I did not vote for our President-Elect Obama. I'm a conservative Republican; more than anything I would say I voted based on the candidate and Party who chooses a Pro-Life stance. Therefore, as you already now know...I voted for Senator McCain. (and lost a $5-dollar foot-long from Subway on it!)

I, like many, were caught up in the political hoopla over the last few months. I had small debates with friends about who would be the better president, who wouldn't die in office, and who would lead America to a great future. What I failed to realize, however, until after the election, is how RACIST, America really is. And, had great confirmation at how crazy Americans really are.

Now, I have seen the movie Crash. (It is in my all-time top 25 list-See It!) And from this movie I garnered that everyone, no matter race, color, or creed has a little bit of racism in them. It could be suttle, it may not even be understood or comprehended, but I believe we all have it to an extent. (Seriously, it's not for the weak-hearted, but see Crash!) But the racism I saw on November the 5th runs deep and saddens me for the future of this supposedly "great country" that I live in.

For example, I worked all day on the 5th, and talked to many people about the previous night's election results. It was mainly regular lower to middle class white and black people and what I heard was appalling on both ends.

I heard a white man say, "I'm an American, but that man is not my President." He was stating this because of the color of Obama's skin.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!! Who do you think you are white man. Respect your Leader. This man is a human being just like you. This man has worked hard to make the best life for his family. And you know what makes America great sir!; if you don't like it, Leave. If you are so short-sighted that the color of a man's skin determines his worth, maybe it's you that does not belong in America: land of opportunity.

I also heard a black man say "we did it". Which makes me believe he voted for the President-Elect because of his skin color and maybe no other reason.

Again, ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!!!! Do you know his policies and what he stands for? Do you realize that a man's skin color does not determine his worth? Ask yourself what you could be doing for your country and not voting just to make a statement.


I also heard a woman say, as she laid her new pair of tennis shoes on the counter to purchase..."I can't wait to get that Barack-money, that Barack-money is going to spend."

Again, ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!! Ma'am, if you are waiting on a hand out from hard-working people, what are you teaching your children? What are you doing to better your life? Why are you stealing from others. Had this lady said this at a grocery store while she was buying her children food, that is one thing; but while she was buying high priced tennis shoes that she didn't need, ridiculous.



Why is it, that in a country where we thought racism was all but over, some white people will not respect a multi-racial president.

Why is it, that in a country where we thought racism was all but over, some black people only voted for a man who was multi-racial and for no other reason.

**White People, please note: Obama is not a black man, he is multi-racial.
**Black People, please note: Obama is not a black man, he is multi-racial.

He is multi-racial, Dad being born in Kenya. Mom being born in America.

We seemed to have missed that fact throughout the election.
Don't get me wrong, I'm stoked to have a minority in office. I think it says a lot for America. I mean, I have half his nationality tattooed on my back!


You know the other group of people that are getting on my nerves right now as well: Christians!


Doesn't the Bible say that God is Sovereign? (Psalm 48:14)
Doesn't it say to respect the government? (1 Peter 2:13)
Doesn't it say to Pray for our Leaders? (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Now is the time when Christians need to rally around our Leader and PRAY for him, not damn him!


So, is there hope for America. I don't know. I have long said that this country is overrated. And if you ask 95% of the world, they would probably agree. Where have our values gone? This great nation is under attack by so many things; why can't we concentrate on helping and sustaining people; why can't we concentrate on asking what we can do to help President-Elect Obama; why can't we be on our knees interceding on his behalf to a Sovereign God? Why do we still discriminate and hate our brothers for no apparent reason. No one is better than another. We are all "dirty tampons" in the sight of all-mighty God. (That was a misused analogy I heard this Sunday at NewSpring!!)

This country has an opportunity to be great again, I hope and pray that President-Elect Obama is the leader to take us there!